St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-05-12
VIEWING THE PARKS.
The Commission Feasts Its Eyes

1nt SOlhIlISSLOH FcdStS ltS Eyes
ard Listens to Suggestions.
Not one in hundred of the popula-
ton of Minneapolis has any compre-
hensive idea of the beauty and extent of
the magnificent park system of the city
now being rapidly brought to a state of
perfection. Not even all of the mem
bers of the park commission itself had
a full understanding of the magnitude
of the work on hand, but after an in
spection tour made yesterday, their
ideas were considerably enlarged and
expanded. Three carriage loads of
commissioners. on invitation of PreSi-
dent LOring, yesterday made tour of
the southwestern system and were put
n possession of the general plans of the
work in which the board is engaged
The day was too short to admit of
visit to all of the parks, much to the re-
greet of every member of the party. FL
lott park, Oh Eighth street, was first Wis
tied, and the commission saw how
that once barren and Swampy spot had
become beautiful park and source of
rounding people. The park is now
thickly set with trees, half of which
will be transplanted when they reach
the proper growth. Central park called
out expressions of surprise and pleasure
on every hand. There is probably no
park in the world in which, at so little
expense. so great change was wrought.
President LOring suggested the pur-
chase of a strip of land on the south
western edge of the park, which could
be had for s1l 900. On it stands house
belonging to f. B. Place, and the idea
is to retain this house for general re-
fraS cta Of inl,
there is general need. 1t is also pro-
posed to straighten the western end of
Oak Grove street, where it circles the
park, the land for that purpose to be do
mated by H. L. Wclles.
By means of the Hennepin boulevard
and Douglass avenue, the party reached
the Lake of the Isles boulevard. where
a long stay was made, admiring the
beauty of the scenery and views dis
closed by the high ground and
listening to an exposition of the
ing this garden spot of the city. The
party skirted the picturesque lake and
passed over the proposed Calhoun bOul-
eVard into the western division of Rem
ington Park, until the Harriet boulevard
was reached. During the drive along
the noble avenue that winds in an out
within view of the pretty eXpanse of
water, Mr.. Loring explained the plans
as including the purchase of sufficient
land on the east shore of Harriet to
make a labyrinth, and on the southwest
to construct general picnic ground. He
also said that arrangements were on
foot to open up connecting drive with
the Harriet misunderstanding that
is badly needed. Col. w. S. King pro-
poses to construct park of his own
near the old King farm, and proposes to
donate sufficient land to the city for a
boulevard connecting Lyndale with
Harriet boulevard, south of the ceme-
terry. This will remove an obstacle to
the full enjoyment of this beautiful
drive and will make it comparatively
easy of access.
Minneapolis has a park system of
which the city may naturally be proud.
1t has all of the natural advantages. and
the commission has entered upon a lib
| eral plan of improvement that can have
but the most marked results.